From 15-22 October 2023, Cao Guoyong, executive deputy secretary of the Party Committee at the Open University of China (OUC), led a delegation which included Cheng Gang, director of the Information Technology Department; He Jing, director of the News Centre; and Shi Yunzhi, deputy director of the International Department.

The team visited the United Kingdom and Germany. During their trip, they met with officials from four higher education institutions, including the University of London and three other universities. The discussions centred around inter-university international exchanges and cooperation, as well as the digitalisation and capacity building for the dissemination of international higher education. Additionally, they visited relevant educational facilities at these institutions.

During his visit to the UK, Cao Guoyong had a productive meeting with Professor Mary Stiasny, Pro-Vice Chancellor of the University of London, and Dr. Linda Amrance-Cooper, director of the Centre for Online and Distance Education. They discussed potential collaborations in international teacher training and research in the realm of distance and online education.

Cao Guoyong and his delegation also had discussions with Viren Patel, chief executive officer of international affairs at the Open University, UK. Their conversations focused on mutual cooperation in areas such as capacity building for educational institutions, development of teaching resources, teacher training, and academic exchange.

Additionally, the visit encompassed a meeting with Anne Ely, chair of the Sino-British Fellowship Trust, UK. Together, they reviewed the achievements of the Sino-British Fellowship Project (UK Open and Distance Education Programme for Personnel from Chinese Open Universities) over recent years. The two sides also engaged in in-depth discussions about future collaboration and next steps.

Visit to University of London

Meeting with representatives from Open University, UK

Meeting with representatives from Oxford University Language Centre

Presenting gift to the Sino-British Fellowship Trust

During his visit to Germany, Cao Guoyong met with leaders from the Otto-von-Guericke Business School Magdeburg, as well as experts and scholars. The two sides reviewed the progress of the Sino-German Master's Degree Programme and also explored potential collaboration for undergraduate programmes among other topics.

Visit to Otto-von-Guericke Business School Magdeburg

The visit offers a valuable opportunity for the OUC to broaden its collaborations in higher education within the UK and Germany. It strengthens dialogue and understanding between the parties and lays a solid foundation for deeper cooperation in the future.

By OUC